Local News
Shooting neighbor in ankle nets man 10-year sentence
Johnny T. Vaughn, who pleaded guilty in August to shooting at a neighbor on Sally’s Branch Road during a property dispute, was sentenced to 10 years in prison Friday in Laurel Circuit Court.
Vaughn, 35, admitted to shooting Georgiana Cowden in the ankle during a property dispute in December. He was indicated in January on charges of attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree assault, four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and convicted felon in possession of a firearms.
Under terms of the plea agreement, Vaughn pleaded to the attempted murder charge while the remaining charges were dismissed. Vaughn must serve 85 percent of the sentence before he will be eligible for parole. He will receive credit for the 273 days he has spend in the Laurel County Detention Center toward the service of his sentence.
On Dec. 20, Kentucky State Police troopers were called to Sally’s Branch Road to take a theft report from Cowden, who said someone had broken into the home owned by her father and taken a number of small household items.
Minutes after police left the scene, they were ordered to return as Cowden had found some of the stolen items at Vaughn’s home.
Laurel County Sheriff’s Detective Charles Loomis, who was called to investigate the shooting, said just after the troopers had left, Vaughn came out of his home with a .380-caliber handgun and fired into the vehicle in which Cowden was a passenger. The bullet passed through the right-rear door and stuck Cowden in the ankle.
Cowden was taken to the University of Kentucky Medical Center where she was treated and released.
KSP Troopers and Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies searched the area, finding Vaughn hiding in the woods near the home and took him into custody.
Staff writer Dean Manning may be reached at dmanning@sentinel-echo.com.
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